Monday, August 18, 2014

This photograph, donated by Mrs. G. Umbach, is one of
several that will be featured on the blog in the upcoming months to commemorate
the First World War. Also known as The Great War, this massive conflict erupted
on July 28th, 1914. Britain, and by default, Canada, declared war on
August 4th, 1914.

Peace River resident Corporal George Clarke enlisted in
Edmonton mere days after marrying Annie Southcott, who had come over from
England to be his wife. Originally assigned to the 202nd Infantry
Battalion, Clarke was transferred to the 31st Battalion and saw
action in France and Belgium. His unit was part of the Occupation Forces in
Germany towards the end of the war. He returned to Peace River and was integral
to the construction of several key buildings in town. A copy of this
photograph, accompanied by George Clarke’s military tunic (jacket) are
currently on display in the Peace River Gallery at the Peace River Museum,
Archives and Mackenzie Centre.

Although this portrait of Cpl. Clarke appears to depict him
posing in a military camp, it was actually taken in a studio. The backdrop,
complete with tents and a flag, is painted on canvas and Cpl. Clarke is
standing on a drop-cloth.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

If you recognize this artifact it
is possible that you were a naughty student during your school days! This is a
school strap that was donated to the museum by Pete Gardner who found the strap
at Springfield Elementary during some summer cleaning. This would have been
used to give bad students a slap on the back of the hand to smarten them up!

Although the strap has generally
been out of use in Canada since around the 1970s, corporal punishment in
schools was allowed until January 30th, 2004 when it became outlawed
under section 43 of the Criminal Code. Every province in the country had banned
corporal punishment in their schools prior to the 2004 law except for one,
Alberta. The Peace Wapiti School Division in Grande Prairie was the last
division to allow the strap and other corporal punishment in Canada leading up
to the 2004 law.

Although it is likely that this
strap has been out of commission for well over 40 years, it remains a
frightening artifact that may bring back some less than positive memories for a
few of us. Come to the Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre to see
this artifact in our new school display and be sure to stroll by the mall on
your way over to see our second school display. We’re showing some artifacts
that are sure to bring back some more positive memories of your school days and
are helping our younger visitors get excited about their return to school at
the end of the month!

Our partners for this project include the Municipal District of Peace, Mighty Peace Tourism, Northern Sunrise County, Town of Peace River, Alberta Infrastructure, Peace River Correctional Centre and Young Canada Works. For more information, please feel free to contact the Museum.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

This month, the Art Wall at the Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre displays the vibrant work of local artist Judy Woods.

Born and raised near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Judy moved to Peace River Country when she was sixteen. Judy's work reflects her love of horses and wildlife, although more recently she has been inspired to depict people in her art. While charcoal is her medium of choice, Judy also creates pieces using chalk pastels, coloured pencils, acrylic paints and photography.

As an E.A. with the Dixonville School, Judy has had the chance to share her love and talent for art with students. She inspires them to explore their own talents and organizes a local art show on their behalf entitled The Community of Artists.

We invite you to come and enjoy Judy's highly detailed and life-like work throughout the month of August.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

This projectile point was found, along with several others, in the Nampa area by early homesteader, Logan Sherris. The point was likely hafted or attached to a short spear called a dart, which was mid-sized: between the length of an arrow and a spear. It is crafted from Peace River Chert which is a high quality stone material with outcrops along the Peace River. The craftsman made the piece by removing small flakes of stone from a core or nucleus using another rock or a softer material such as antler or bone until the desired shape was attained. What is of particular interest is the age of the piece. Considering the shape of the dart point, we can tell that it comes from the Clovis Culture meaning that it is likely around 11,000 years old. Near the base of the point, the craftsman removed a few extra flakes to thin it out towards the middle of the piece. This is known as fluting which may have aided in hafting the point and is the most telling characteristic of a Clovis Point.

Although some argue that the Clovis Culture may be older than 11,000 years, at around 13,200 years, it is the earliest known stone tool culture to have appeared in the Americas. The fact that this early Paleo-Indian artifact was found in the Peace Region suggests that the area may have been inhabited for many thousands of years! Be sure to stop by the Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre to see this ancient piece of history and the oldest man-made artifact in our collection!

Friday, August 1, 2014

This weekend across Alberta, people will be experiencing, tasting, listening and viewing the roots of Alberta's history. The Peace Country is hosting fairs, rodeos, art and museum exhibits and tours as ways to entice us to explore our heritage and our natural environment.
With this in mind, our Museum is offering tours of the St. Augustine Mission Church and Cemetery between 1 and 4pm on August 3rd. Pack a picnic lunch, take a drive along the historic Shaftesbury Trail (Highway 684) and stop at the little church to learn about the early agricultural and spiritual life at the mission.
Then on August 4th meet us at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery at 10:30am for a tour that will remind you of veterans from World War I, Councillors and newspaper editors of the past and firefighters who once protected our community, all in commemoration of 100 years as Peace River Crossing. Later the same afternoon, a walking tour of the downtown area, starting at the Museum at 1pm, will highlight some milestones in our 100 year history. these tours will go, rain or shine, so do come prepared.
As we celebrate our 100 years as a community, we are reminded of our own role today in making Peace River a fine community to live in!